Yard sale benefits Landmrks society

Temperatures were balmy and the winds light for the monthly yard sale at Roberts House Park Saturday.

Old wooden spoons were going for $2 a pair. Antique bottles sold for about $3.50 and up and a large collection of vintage prints, many by artist Maxfield Parrish, leaned up against the front porch of the Roberts House.

"I collect dolls, but my friend is looking for bottles, or anything unique," said Bonnie Williams, a teacher from Palmdale, Calif. "I attend a lot of yard sales, and I think the prices here are very good."

The sale is tradition for longer than anyone could remember. Vendors have staked their own special spots on the lawn and most return each month, according to Paula Cannon, spokeswoman for the Nevada Landmarks Society and organizer of this event.

"There's a real advantage to being a regular here," she said. "People are often looking for certain things and if the vendors happen to see an item they think is right, they will pick it up for their customers."

Vendor Charlotte Norton said dragons and bird houses have been her big sellers this season.

"Some weekends can be slow," she said. "Others are so busy, we don't get a chance to slow down. But I love this. I love the people and meeting them is the best part."

Dedicated to the restoration of the Roberts House, the Nevada Landmarks Society hosts a number of community activities including a garden tour and ice cream social.

The Roberts House is on the Historic American Building Survey and the National Register of Historic Places.

The home at 1207 N. Carson St. was built in 1859 in Washoe City by James Doane Roberts. It was moved to Carson City in 1873 and placed near two artisan wells with its front porch overlooking the Capitol.

Roberts' youngest son, Thurman, willed the home to the children of the state of Nevada. Since then, the home has passed into Carson City's hands and with the help of the Landmarks Society has been restored.

IF YOU GO

What: Nevada Landmarks Society yard sale

Where: 1207 N. Carson St.

When: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. today and Monday

Call: 887-8865 or 882-1277